INNOVATION

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Investments in projects toward generating renewable, alternative energy bring Chesf recognition in R&D+I

Chesf defined, as one of the guidelines of the Strategic Map for Corporate Planning 2017-2021, investment in innovation projects with Research and Development institutions. To this end, the company defined a structured flow for Research, Development, and Innovation (R&D+I) Programs, which includes Internal Regulation (IN-AS 03.001), Research, Development, and Innovation Management, and a Research Management and Development System (SGPPED).

With this guidance, the Company has been developing projects in solar energy focused on Photovoltaic and Solar Thermal technology, in order to compete in ANEEL auctions. Three important projects are in progress: Petrolina Solar Platform (3 MW), Floating Solar Platform on the Sobradinho reservoir (5 MW) and, in its contracting phase, the Solar Thermal R&D Project via a Central Tower. Also this year, Chesf launched R&D+I Public Call No. 02/2017, focused on developing Wind Technology Innovation, along with the Distributed Solar Energy Generation, which integrates the two energy sources envisioning joint efficiency of the systems and their respective technologies.

In 2017, the total invested in R&D+I programs reached BRL 74.4 million, including the regulatory payment to the National Fund for Scientific and Technological Development (FNDCT) and to the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), and the projects executed by CEPEL. In order to invest in R&D projects under ANEEL regulations, BRL 44.4 million was allocated to 23 initiatives, focusing on renewable or alternative sources, environment, planning and operation, supervision, control and protection, new materials, and components, among others.

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Generating solar energy in reservoirs

The R&D and Environment areas have been carrying out the environmental impact study toward installing floating solar panels in the reservoirs. The Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources (IBAMA) has already indicated possible impacts that are being monitored by the Environment area still in the study phase of the project. The project consists of installing and evaluating the performance of the Floating Photovoltaic Plant, which will be installed at the Reservoir of the Sobradinho Hydroelectric Plant (BA) and will have an initial capacity of 1 MW of power in an area of approximately 1 ha, which may be expanded up to 5 MW. The project is a partnership with Eletronorte.

International patent recognition for Chesf project

The Engineering Department has developed the project “Application for Regulation and Parallel Operation of Transformers,” which performs an important function for the electrical system, as it regulates the voltage level delivered by Chesf to power utilities.

Aware of the importance of this application for the sector, the process to apply for protection was initiated with the National Institute of Industrial Property (INPI) in 2011. After obtaining the nationwide patent in 2017, Chesf obtained international recognition. The United States and, subsequently, China issued the patent grant for this technological innovation being used in substations.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY

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Since 2013, Chesf has been setting goals to reduce consumption of natural resources, among which we highlight increased efficiency and improved environmental management with the reduction of its GHG emissions.

Based on consumption in 2012, the company established its own goal for reducing consumption of fossil fuels in the land vehicle fleet (scope 1) and for consumption of electricity from the public distribution network (scope 2), with a consequent impact on the volume of GHG emissions. The equipment complex also undergoes constant improvements, either by preventive maintenance actions, technological upgrading of existing equipment, or replacement of equipment with more efficient models that have lower levels of GHG emissions.

After evaluating the first period of goals (period 2013-2015) and considering the great effort already put forth by the company, new goals were established in the Business and Management Master Plan of Eletrobras (PDNG) for the period 20172021: 0.2% per annum to reduce GHG emissions, totaling 1% by 2021.

However, this year, in its GHG Inventory, the Company calculated the emission of 243,709.8 tons of CO2eq in scopes 1, 2, and 3. An increase of 2.4% compared with the previous year, significantly associated with increased losses which may be justified by the expansion of Chesf’s transmission network.

The Company’s energy consumption reached 105,585.43 MWh and, although it does not manage energy consumption information outside the Company, the consumption of third party fuel was recorded at 61,150 GJ.

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Efficiency Projects

In 2017, Chesf launched the Conta Zero program, which aims to generate sufficient energy, with photovoltaic technology, to supply demand of all substations and associated facilities. In all, seven photovoltaic minigeration projects will be implemented in the distributors Coelba, Anel, Celpe, Eletrobras Alagoas, Cosern, Energisa, and Cepisa.

Two pilot projects have already yielded important results for the Company in 2017: one of them involves the 32 kW Solar Microgeneration system connected to the electric power grid in the warehouse of the Abreu e Lima unit. Composed of 252 photovoltaic modules, it occupies an area of approximately 700 sqm and is connected to the 13.8 kV internal distribution system of the warehouse and, consequently, to the concessionaire’s distribution system. The system added 24,092 MWh of electricity, saving 5.71% of electricity supplied by the concessionaire.

The second was implemented at the Messias Substation (AL). The photovoltaic minigeneration system connected to the 115.2 kW grid will promote a savings in the electricity consumption of the substation to the order of 222 MWh per year, which should correspond to a 25% reduction in the consumption of the auxiliary services systems of that substation. The project has operations scheduled for March 2018.

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